Apparatus for admixing liquids in predetermined ratio

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for adding measured quantities of concentrates or solutions, e.g., particularly fluoride salt solutions, to a second liquid, e.g., fresh water as supplied by municipalities to ordinary residences. The apparatus is particularly adapted to be fitted into a conduit carrying a supply of fresh water to a source to be supplied with fluorinated water, e.g., a residence. It is constituted generally of an outer vessel within which a tubular flow nozzle is enclosed. The nozzle is provided with high pressure and low pressure sides, and lateral outlets from such high and low pressure sides. A flexible bag containing, e.g., a fluoride solution for injection into the fresh water, can be operatively connected to the low pressure outlet, while the external portion of the bag is placed under the influence of the high pressure outlet such that when fresh water is passed through the nozzle the differential pressure causes solution to be metered via the low pressure outlet into the axial opening within the tubular flow nozzle where it is picked up, admixed or dissolved within the fresh water, and dispensed through the conduit as fluorinated drinking water.

United States Patent Stockstill 1March 13, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FORADMIXING LIQUIDS IN PREDETERMINED RATIO [75] inventors: Percy H. Miller;Mehdif Sabbaghian; Calvin A. Stockstill, all of Baton Rouge, La.

[73] Assignee: Coronet Manufacturing Company,

Inc., Baton Rouge, La.

[22] Filed: April 14,1971

[2]] Appl. No.: 134,005

[52] US. Cl ..l37/564.5 [5 1] Int. Cl. ..E03b 7/07 [58] Field of Search..l37/564.5, 268

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,095,892 7/1963 Laing etal ..l37/564.5 X

Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek Att0rneyLlewellyn A. Proctor [57]ABSTRACT Apparatus for adding measured quantities of concentrates orsolutions, e.g., particularly fluoride salt solutions, to a secondliquid, e.g., fresh water as supplied by municipalities to ordinaryresidences. The zip paratus is particularly adapted to be fitted into aconduit carrying a supply of fresh water to a source to be supplied withfluorinated water, e.g., a residence. It is constituted generally of anouter vessel within which a tubular flow nozzle is enclosed. The nozzleis provided with high pressure and low pressure sides, and lateraloutlets from such high and low pressure sides. A flexible bagcontaining, e.g., a fluoride solution for injection into the freshwater, can be operatively connected to the low pressure outlet, whilethe external portion of the bag is placed under the influence of thehigh pressure outlet such that when fresh water is passed through thenozzle the differential pressure causes solution to be'metered via thelow pressure outlet into the axial opening within the tubular flownozzle where it is picked up, admixed or dissolved within the freshwater, and dispensed through the conduit as fluorinated drinking water.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing: Figures PATENTEUMAR 1 3|975 SHEET 2 BF 2 ill fllg

FIGURE 11 INVENTOR CALVIN A. STOGKSTILL Ai TORNEY APPARATUS FOR ADMIXINGLIQUIDS IN PREDETERMINED RATIO It is known to employ apparatus of manykinds to dispense concentrates or solutions of various substances, inliquid form, into a second liquid diluent or solution. For example,apparatus of various types are used to dispense fruit juices or sugarsyrups, disinfeetants, medicinals and the like into a liquid, such asfresh water or carbonated water,

Liquid mixing devices of such types are most often quite complex, andare generally structured to provide means for metering and proportioningthe concentrate or solution within a measured amount of diluent. In suchdevices, the rate of flow of the concentrate, or solution, and thediluent are proportioned one with respect to the other, thoroughly mixedin predeter mined ratio, and dispensed.

Apparatus embodied by the present invention provides furtherimprovements over these and prior art devices.

Among the objects of this invention are:

To provide a new and improved apparatus which is capable of mixingliquids in predetermined ratio, one with respect to another anddispensing the mixed liquids with accuracy and precision.

To provide apparatus of simple structure, particularly adaptableforreceiving and storing a first liquid concentrate or solution foraddition to a second liquid, in predetermined ratios as the mixture ofliquids is dispensed on demand.

To provide apparatus particularly adaptable for rapidly metering out aconcentrate or solution for addition to a flowing stream, the amount ofconcentrate or solution added to the stream being directly measured andproportioned in relation to the rate of flow of the flowing stream.

To provide new and durable apparatus of the abovedescribed character foruse in addition of concentrates or solutions, particularly fluoridesaltsolutions, to drinking water as provided by municipalities to individualresidences.

These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the presentinvention which embodies the combination of an outer vessel constitutedof a rigid shell, an inner flexible sac or bag with a nozzle outlet, oropening, and a tubular liquid flow nozzle having a high pressure sideand a low pressure side with individual outlets, the said outlet of theflexible bag being communicable to the said low pressure side of thesaid flow nozzle. The axial opening through the flow nozzle is thusprovided with a form of restriction to provide a high pressure side anda low pressure side, and lateral outlets are associated with the highpressure side and low pressure side, respectively. The flexible bag isadapted to contain a concentrate, or solution, particularly fluoridesalt solution. The nozzle opening of a filled bag can be operativelycommunicated with, or connected to, the low pressure outlet of the flownozzle. The external side of the bag, in operation, is in directcommunication with the high pressure outlet, and when a stream of freshwater passes through the nozzle it is split, one portion of the streamexerting pressure upon the external peripheral surface of the bag toforce water (because of the differential pressure) through the lowpressure outlet into the flow nozzle, while the other portion of thestream which passes through the axial opening of the :flow nozzle picksup the solution, which is admixed or dissolved therewith, and themixture dispersed as fluorinated drinking water from the flow nozzle.

The invention, and its principle of operation, will be more fullyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of aspecific and preferred embodiment, and to the attached drawings to whichreference is made in the description. In the description, similar wholenumbers are used to represent similar parts or components, and whennumbers. with subscripts are used in common with whole correspondingnumbers, the whole numbers are used in the generic sense and subscriptsare used where there is a plurality of similar parts or components.Letter subscripts are used to denote a particular part or portion ofacomponent.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view showing in detail an assembly ofthe several principal parts of the preferred device for injecting oradding a solution, e.g., a solution of fluoride salt, to drinking water;and

FIG. 2 is an elevation view taken through section 2- 2 of the precedingfigure, showing in further detail the principal parts of the saiddevice.

Referring to the drawings, the principal parts of the device orapparatus can be characterized generally as an outer vessel 10,preferably constituted of a lower container portion 9 and an upperenclosing domed cover 11, conveniently formed in two matinghemi-sections 11 ,11 of substantially equal size. A liquid flow nozzle20, containing a non-uniform diameter axial opening therethrough whichprovides a high pressure side 21 and a low pressure side 22, is mountedwithin the domed cover 11. Outlets 23,24 are connected to the highpressure side 21 and low pressure side 22 of the nozzle 20,respectively. The inlet portion of a flexible bag 30, containing aconcentrated solution, can be operatively communicated via suitableconnections to the low pressure outlet 24 of the nozzle 20 so that thesolution within the bag can be dispersed into the nozzle, picked up,admixed with and discharged with a second stream passing through thenozzle. The contents of the bag 30 are discharged through the nozzle 20in direct response to external pressure exerted on the peripheralexternal surfaces of the bag by high pres sure liquid from outlet 23.

A container portion 9 of the vessel 10 is of cylindrical shape and isclosed at the bottom so that it can contain liquid. Projecting surfaces7,8 with horizontally inclined, downwardly facing bottom surfaces areprovided to facilitate mounting of the vessel 10 in upright position.This pair of members forms shoulders upon which the vessel can beconveniently supported. The extreme upper portion of the container 10 isgenerally provided with a removable cover 5, for added strength, andwith a circumferential outwardly extending lip or flange 6 upon whichthe dome-shaped cover 11 can be mounted.

The domed cover 11 is conveniently formed from two mating hemi-sections11,, diametrically separable one from another, each section constitutingsubstantially a mirror image of the other. Both of hemi-sections 11 ,11are provided with corresponding external circumferential grooves 12 ,12and corresponding internal circumferential grooves 13 ,13 which arecontinuous one set of grooves with respect to another when the twohemi-sections 11 ,11 are joined. Each hemi-section 11 ,11 is providedwith diametrically oriented notched portions which form an opening 14across the diameter of the cover 11 through which the nozzle 20 can befitted. The inside diametrical edge of hemi-section 11 is provided witha slightly downwardly projected, outwardly extended lip or flange 11 andthe inside diametrical edge of hemi-section 11 is provided with anoutwardly extended lip or flange 11 these edges forming male and femaleportions, respectively. These hemi-sections 11 ,11 can thus be fittedtogether, with the nozzle 20in place, with the lower circumferentialgroove 13 tightly secured upon the flange 6 to hold the domed cover 11upon the container 9, and secured in this position by use of the pens 15,15 which snugly fit through small diameter openings in the hemispheres11,,11 provided therefor. The hemi-sections 11 ,11 can be further andmore securely held in place by means of a tightly fitted band 16 whichlies within the circumferential groove 12, the ends thereof beingsecured together by a locking device 17.

The liquid flow nozzle 20'is comprised of a tubular member having twodifferent diameter adjoining axial openings 21,22. It will thus beobserved that the section of enclosing wall 19 which forms one side ofthe tubular member provides an opening 22 which is of smaller internaldiameter than the relatively larger opening 21 formed by the section ofenclosing wall 18 at the opposite end of the tubular member. Lateralopenings provide high pressure and high pressure nozzle outlets 23,24,respectively, located within the wall of the liquid flow nozzle 20 andthe openings are sized one relative to the other so that a pressuredifferential exists between the two outlets. The nozzle 20 is maintainedin a secure position within the domed cover 11 and it cannot rotatebecause of the pair of projecting flat-topped lugs 25 ,25 which flushwith flat lower edges 26 ,26 of the domed cover 11. A flexible orexpandable bag 30, provided with a single nozzle opening 29, capable ofcontaining a solution for injection through the dispensing end 20,, ofthe nozzle 20, can be operatively communicated, via suitable means, tothe low pressure outlet 24.

Suitably, the removable cover 5 is provided with a pair of openings,each containing a short nozzle 33,34. Lines 31,32 are connected throughvalves 35,36, respectively, to nozzles 33,34. Preferably, the lines31,32 are flexible or semi-flexible an internally threaded screw caps37,38, respectively, provide a suitable means of connecting the terminalends of lines 31,32 to externally threaded nozzles 24,23. The same kindof connections 41,42 are provided, if desired, between the opposite endsof lines 31,32 and the inlet side of valves 35,36, respectively. Similarconnections 43,44 are also provided, if desired, between the outletsides of the valves 35,36 and the nozzles 33,34 within the removablecover 5. The nozzle portion 29 of the flexible bag 30 is suitablyattached and held securely in place upon the nozzle 34 by acircumferentially enclosing band 28.

Prior to loading an end 20,, of the nozzle 20 is operatively connectedwith a fresh water supply to which a solution is to be added. Theopposite end 20,, of the nozzle 20 is operatively connected with asource to be supplied with water to which solution is to be continuouslyadded. At the start of loading, there is no flow-of water from nozzles23, 24 because valves 35,36 are closed, and flow is initiated only ondemand as when a tap is opened on the demand side 20 In initiatingloading, the flexible or inflatable bag 30 is filled ex situ via itsnozzle opening 29 with a solution, e.g., an aqueous fluoride saltsolution, to be dispensed and lowered into the container 9. The cover 5is then brought near the container 9 and the nozzle opening 29 is thenfitted over the nozzle 34, and secured in place by the circumferentialband 28. The cover 5 is then set in place upon the top of container 9,and screw cap 43 of the line connected to the top of nozzle 34 securedin position on the outlet side of the closed valve 35. Connection isthen made between nozzle 33 and the outlet side of valve 36 bytightening down the screw cap 44 which connects the flexible line to thevalve. The screw caps 42,38 of line 32 are then tightened down on theinlet side of valve 36 and nozzle 23, respectively. Valves 35,36 arethen opened. The hemi-sections 11 ,11 are then fitted together andtightly secured in place about the nozzle 20 and upon the container 9and tightly secured in place, as described.

In operation, fresh water flows through the axial openings 19,21 ofnozzle 20 from a source opposite the direction shown by the open arrows.At outlet 23 the stream of water is split, one portion of the streamflowing through the outlet 23 into the confines of the container 9 whilethe other portion of the stream flows through the axial opening 22. Thewater which flows into the container 9 exerts peripheral pressure uponthe outer confines of the bag 30 forcing fluoride solution from the bag.The fluoride solution forced from the bag 30 flows through line 31 intothe nozzle opening 22.due to the differential pressure, and is picked upby the fresh water which passes through the axial opening 22 so that thewater flowing from the dispensing end 20 of the nozzle 20 is fluorided.

The inner bag 30 is gradually collapsed and emptied of fluoridesolution. As this occurs, the original volume of the filled bag 30 isdisplaced by the water which enters the container 9 through the outlet23. When the bag 30 is empty, it is replaced by another filled bag andthe process repeated ad infinitum.

It is apparent that various changes, such as in the absolute or relativedimensions of the component parts, size and shape, materials used, andthe like, can be made without departing the spirit and scope of theinvention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example,the specific shape of the axial opening through the tubular flow nozzleto provide the desired pressure differential is subject to considerablevariation. Rather than providing two communicating axial openings ofdiffering internal diameters to form high pressure side and low pressuresides, respectively, the axial opening could be in the form of a gradualtaper to provide the desired pressure differential. Or, e.g., arestriction such as a perforated plate may be provided within an axialopening of uniform diameter to provide a high pressure side and lowpressure side, respectively. What is essential is that a restriction ofsome sort be provided to create the desired pressure differential. Thedesired differential pressure per se, on the other hand, is readilydetermined and provided by well known principles, in connection withwater flow rate, to meter the desired amount of solution into the freshwater.

The outer vessel is generallyconstructed of a rigid material such asplastic or metal, e.g., iron, steel, aluminum or the like. The vessel isgenerally built to withstand a moderately low pressure, e.g., 150 psig.The flexible bag is constituted of a relatively inert or non-reactivematerial which can be readily filled with a desired volume of solution,and then readily collapsed and emptied by the differential pressureprovided Various plastics and plastic-like materials which form staplearticles of commerce are suitable for such purpose, e.g., polyethylene,polyvinyl acetate, ethylene terephthalate resin, nylon and the like.

It is apparent that various other changes can be made without departingthe spirit and scope of the invention. Having described the invention,what is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for adding a measured quantity of solution, such as afluoride salt solution, to a conduit connecting a supply of liquid, suchas fresh water, with a source to be supplied with water to which ameasured quantity of the solution has been added, the combinationcomprising a closed outer vessel formed by enclosing rigid walls,

a tubular flow nozzle having a nonuniform axial opening therethrough, aninlet side of large crosssectional diameter and an outlet side,contiguous with said inlet side, of small cross-sectional diameterproviding a high pressure side and a low pressure side, respectively,mounted within the conduit between the supply and the source to besupplied, said nozzle extending through the walls of, and being enclosedwithin, the said outer vessel, said tubular flow nozzle having lateraloutlets located within the high pressure side and the low pressure sidethereof, respectively, and

a flexible bag, provided with a nozzle opening, which can be filled withsolution to be dispensed, located within the said closed outer vessel,the nozzle thereof being communicated with the low pressure outlet ofthetubular flow nozzle wherein a stream of fresh water can be flowedthrough the conduit from the supply source, through the axial opening ofthe nozzle, and then split at the high pressure outlet, a part of thestream passed into the container and a part thereof passed through theaxial opening to the low pressure side of the axial opening, to exert aperipheral pressure upon the external portion of the flexible bag toforce solution out of the nozzle of the bag through the said lowpressure outlet and into the axial opening of the nozzle wherein it canbe picked up, admixed with, and dispersed through the nozzle with thefresh water and then passed on through the conduit to the source to besupplied.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the closed outer vessel is formedfrom a lower container portion, including an enclosing side wall and asealing bottom, and the upper portion of the container is provided withan enclosing domed cover.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the upper portion of the lowercontainer is flanged, the domed cover is formed of two diametricallyseparable mating hemisections of substantially e ual size, matchingdiametrically opposed notches w ich fit together to form a diametricallyopposed opening through the domed cover, the inner lower edge of eachhemi-section being provided with circumferential corresponding groovesand diametrical edges which mate together to contain the tubular flownozzle within the diametrical opening through the domed cover.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the hemi-sections are provided withopenings through which pins can be passed to secure the said sectionstogether, and corresponding external circumferential grooves withinwhich a flexible band can be placed and the ends secured together tofurther secure the hemi-sections in place about the tubular flow nozzleand upon the top of the container.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the upper portion of the containeris provided with a removable cover containing a pair of openings withnozzle portions projected therethrough, and the high pressure and lowpressure outlets of the tubular flow nozzle are connected via conduitsthrough valves to the nozzle portions, respectively, within theremovable cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the high pressure and low pressureside, respectively, of the tubular flow nozzle is constituted ofcommunicating axial openings, the high pressure side being of greaterinternal diameter than that forming the low pressure side of the flownozzle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the terminal ends of the tubularmember constituting the flow nozzle are externally threaded to providemeans for threadable engagement with the ends of lines forming aconduit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the outlets from the high pressureand low pressure sides of the flow nozzle are externally threaded:nozzle portions, this providing means for threadable engagement withscrew caps which can be used to secure conduits thereto.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the valves are mounted upon theremovable cover of the container, flexible conduits are used tocommunicate the nozzle portions through the cover with the outlet sidesof the valves and to connect the outlets of the tubular flow nozzle withthe inlet side of the valves.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the top of the tubular flow nozzleis provided with projecting members with contact and flush withimpinging lower edges of the hemi-sections to stabilize the said nozzleagainst rotation.

1. In apparatus for adding a measured quantity of solution, such as afluoride salt solution, to a conduit connecting a supply of liquid, suchas fresh water, with a source to be supplied with water to which ameasured quantity of the solution has been added, the combinationcomprising a closed outer vessel formed by enclosing rigid walls, atubular flow nozzle having a nonuniform axial opening therethrough, aninlet side of large cross-sectional diameter and an outlet side,contiguous with said inlet side, of small cross-sectional diameterproviding a high pressure side and a low pressure side, respectively,mounted within the conduit between the supply and the source to besupplied, said nozzle extending through the walls of, and being enclosedwithin, the said outer vessel, said tubular flow nozzle having lateraloutlets located within the high pressure side and the low pressure sidethereof, respectively, and a flexible bag, provided with a nozzleopening, which can be filled with solution to be dispensed, locatedwithin the said closed outer vessel, the nozzle thereof beingcommunicated with the low pressure outlet of the tubular flow nozzlewherein a stream of fresh water can be flowed through the conduit fromthe supply source, through the axial opening of the nozzle, and thensplit at the high pressure outlet, a part of the stream passed into thecontainer and a part thereof passed through the axial opening to the lowpressure side of the axial opening, to exert a peripheral pressure uponthe external portion of the flexible bag to force solution out of thenozzle of the bag through the said low pressure outlet and into theaxial opening of the nozzle wherein it can be picked up, admixed with,and dispersed through the nozzle with the fresh water and then passed onthrough the conduit to the source to be supplied.
 1. In apparatus foradding a measured quantity of solution, such as a fluoride saltsolution, to a conduit connecting a supply of liquid, such as freshwater, with a source to be supplied with water to which a measuredquantity of the solution has been added, the combination comprising aclosed outer vessel formed by enclosing rigid walls, a tubular flownozzle having a nonuniform axial opening therethrough, an inlet side oflarge cross-sectional diameter and an outlet side, contiguous with saidinlet side, of small cross-sectional diameter providing a high pressureside and a low pressure side, respectively, mounted within the conduitbetween the supply and the source to be supplied, said nozzle extendingthrough the walls of, and being enclosed within, the said outer vessel,said tubular flow nozzle having lateral outlets located within the highpressure side and the low pressure side thereof, respectively, and aflexible bag, provided with a nozzle opening, which can be filled withsolution to be dispensed, located within the said closed outer vessel,the nozzle thereof being communicated with the low pressure outlet ofthe tubular flow nozzle wherein a stream of fresh water can be flowedthrough the conduit from the supply source, through the axial opening ofthe nozzle, and then split at the high pressure outlet, a part of thestream passed into the container and a part thereof passed through theaxial opening to the low pressure side of the axial opening, to exert aperipheral pressure upon the external portion of the flexible bag toforce solution out of the nozzle of the bag through the said lowpressure outlet and into the axial opening of the nozzle wherein it canbe picked up, admixed with, and dispersed through the nozzle with thefresh water and then passed on through the conduit to the source to besupplied.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the closed outer vessel isformed from a lower container portion, including an enclosing side walland a sealing bottom, and the upper portion of the container is providedwith an enclosing domed cover.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein theupper portion of the lower container is flanged, the domed cover isformed of two diametrically separable mating hemi-sections ofsubstantially equal size, matching diametrically opposed notches whichfit together to form a diametrically opposed opening through the domedcover, the inner lower edge of each hemi-section being provided withcircumferential corresponding grooves and diametrical edges which matetogether to contain the tubular flow nozzle within the diametricalopening through the domed cover.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein thehemi-sections are provided with openings through which pins can bepassed to secure the said sections together, and corresponding externalcircumferential grooves within which a flexible band can be placed andthe ends secured together to further secure the hemi-sections in placeabout the tubular flow nozzle and upon the top of the container.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein the upper portion of the container isprovided with a removable cover containing a pair of openings withnozzle portions projected therethrough, and the high pressure and lowpressure outlets of the tubular flow nozzle are connected via conduitsthrough valves to the nozzle portions, respectively, within theremovable cover.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the high pressureand low pressure side, respectively, of the tubular flow nozzle isconstituted of communicating axial openings, the high pressure sidebeing of greater internal diameter than that forming the low pressureside of the flow nozzle.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein theterminal ends of the tubular member Constituting the flow nozzle areexternally threaded to provide means for threadable engagement with theends of lines forming a conduit.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein theoutlets from the high pressure and low pressure sides of the flow nozzleare externally threaded nozzle portions, this providing means forthreadable engagement with screw caps which can be used to secureconduits thereto.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the valves aremounted upon the removable cover of the container, flexible conduits areused to communicate the nozzle portions through the cover with theoutlet sides of the valves and to connect the outlets of the tubularflow nozzle with the inlet side of the valves.